JEFFERSON CITY –– The Missouri Forests Products Association (MFPA), East Perry Lumber of Frohna, MO, and Smith Flooring, Inc. of Mountain View, MO will host “Hardwood Drying Short Courses” in August.
Both a Basic and Advance course will be offered. The two day Basic class is for beginning operators and supervisors drying hardwood lumber in steam or dehumidification dry kilns and in predryers. The program will cover practical techniques for the efficient and effective operation of predryers and dry kilns. The “hands on” program will include moisture measuring and the use of sample boards; kiln and predryer operational techniques; drying schedules; causes and cures for drying defects, and quality control procedures.
The Advance class is designed for experienced operators and supervisors. The program will cover advance techniques for the efficient and effective operation of air-drying yards and dry kilns specifically addressing techniques for drying Missouri dominant wood species-Oak.
The instructor, Dr. Brian Bond has extensive experience in working closely with the wood industry as an extension specialist and consultant in the areas of lumber drying, wood and moisture relations, and sawmill efficiency. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Wood Science and Forest Products at Virginia Tech. He provides extension programming for the hardwood industry, conducts drying research, and teaches a lumber manufacturing class to undergraduate students.
The Basic Class will be held August 16-17 in Frohna, Mo. and Augsut 18-19 in Mountain View, Mo. and the Advance Class will be held August 19 in Mountain View, Mo.
The Basic Class cost for members of the Missouri Forest Products Association is $200; cost for non-members is $250. And cost for the Advance Class to members is $100 and $150 for non-members. To register or for more information about these Lumber Drying Courses contact MFPA Education Manager, Tammy Homfeldt at (573) 634-3252 or tammy@moforest.org. You can also visit their website www.moforest.org.
Missouri Forest Products Association (MFPA) is a statewide association whose mission is to encourage the wise use and conservation of our nation’s natural resources and promote the business of all forest-related industries and encourages closer working relationships among forest products firms, forest owners, producers, and harvesters.
